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Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the Randwick and Gold Coast meetings on January 6 plus Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.
GOLD COAST January 6
Best Bets
RACE 4: (10) BONITA QUEEN
RACE 8: (17) CHILLI FILLY
For Value
RACE 7: (4) SACRED MISSION
RACE 9 (13) LAVISH EMPIRE
QUADDIE
RACE 6: 2-7-11-6
RACE 7: 4-13-14-1
RACE 8: 17-15-9-11
RACE 9: 13-8-1-6
RANDWICK January 6
Best Bets
RACE 8 (13) LEGIO TEN: Emerging as a real talent for the Godolphin team with plenty of scope to improve on his impressive last to first win when resuming over 1100m at Rosehill five weeks ago. A soft trial since has him primed to take on this higher grade with a handy drop in weight. Speed map sets it up for his big finish.
RACE 9 (11) MONFELICITY: Genuine mare has come up in strong form this prep and rates well to go on from her last start win at this course over 1500m at this course when second up under 57kg. She's a winner up to 2100m and with two Randwick wins to her credit she should relish getting out to 2000m under these conditions.
RACE 10 (7) SHAKEN: Impressive daughter of the G1 winner Earthquake made an excellent return to competition with a dominant win over 1100m in this class on a heavy track at Warwick Farm, spearing away to win by four lengths for her second win in only four starts. It was her first start since she suffered a bleed when placed at this course in July and there's no reason she won't hold her form as she stays in the same grade with less weight.
Selections
RACE 1: (7) MAGIC PHAROAH; (1) I Am Good At This; (4) Final Comment; (2) Mazita
RACE 2: (6) TINTOOKIE; (5) Exploring; (8) Our Kobison; (1) Tristate
RACE 3: (4) PRINCE INVINCIBLE; (6) London; (8) Hellova Nature; (11) Everyone's A Star
RACE 4: (1) TERRA MATER; (5) Rocketeer Girl; (3) African Daisy; (8) Euros
RACE 5: (5) RUNNING BY; (7) Tympanist; (9) Cadetship; (3) Money From The Sky
RACE 6: (5) MATUSALEM; (2) Buillt; (3) Eau De Vie; (11) Caring Lass
RACE 7: (8) EXCELLADUS; (4) Hellsing; (9) Cool Jakey; (2) Felix Majestic
RACE 8: (13) LEGIO TEN; (18) Time To Boogie; (16) So Good So Cool; (5) Dalaalaat
RACE 9: (11) MONFELICITY; (9) Enotis; (8) Kapakiri; (1) Rogue Bear
RACE 10: (7) SHAKEN; (13) Spring Lee; (12) Miss Emma; (6) Unravel
Why They Can Win….
RACE 1 - (7) MAGIC PHAROAH: Strong win this class last time over this course and distance. No reason she can't repeat with only half a kilo more.
RACE 2 - (6) TINTOOKIE: Well placed to add to a good fresh record. Can take advantage of her favourable draw.
RACE 3 - (4) PRINCE INVINCIBLE: Ready to peak after good placings since resuming. Rates best in an even race.
RACE 4 - (1) TERRA MATER: Promising mare on a march through the grades. Can reel off big closing sectionals.
RACE 5 - (5) RUNNING BY: Found the line for strong second up win at Caulfield. Holds plenty of scope for improvement.
RACE 6 - (5) MATUSALEM: Run short over this course and distance last time. Sure to be fitter.
RACE 7: (8) EXCELLADUS: Quick back up and big weight drop for his third run since resuming. Set to run to his best.
TRIAL WATCH REPORT
NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS – January 5-7
RANDWICK SATURDAY: Exploring (R2); Our Kobison (R2); Against The Law (R3); Hellsing (R7); Legio Ten (R8); Ang Pow (R8)
GOLD COAST SATURDAY: Bonita Queen (R4); Starmae (R4); Junqueira (R8)
GEELONG SATURDAY: Trunk (R2)
WYONG SATURDAY: Ballet D'Esprit (R3); Russian Snitzel (R3)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Tycoon Deshauna; Magnucat; Shezanalister; Kitty Chat; Dize; Tamerlane; Lady Soames; King Of Roseau; Secret Revolution; Take Me To Church; Deep Romance; Straight Charge; Utopian Wine; Gelatin; Shaken; Time To Boogie; Boston Rocks; Anode; Chartwell; Katsumoto; Highness; Royal Merchant; House Of Cards; Spring Lee; Lady Extreme; Overpass.
TRIAL POINTERS
ROSEHILL December 29: JUNQUEIRA has been down on his early form in three starts since October but his impressive work to win the fastest of three 1030m heats (61.81; 34.72) indicates he is ready to turn that around. Given a positive ride by Tommy Berry to work to the front after 200m and from there travelled strongly, extending his lead easily over the last 150m to more than three lengths with his best work through the line.
WARWICK FARM December 22: I Am Invincible filly BONITA QUEEN was placed in her first two provincial starts in August and September and should soon be a winner on her trial form. She has won three of her four trials and looks well prepared to resume after running strongly through the line for a soft win in her fast 810m trial (47.54; 33.53). HELLSING is a lightly raced black type winner who has had only one start in 16 months but is an obvious talent on his Irish 2YO form in 2022 where he won twice and was G2 placed. He was also second in the Goffs Millions and is sure to take plenty of benefit from his first trial for the Neasham stable, working strongly to the line for a soft win in his 1200m heat (74.40; 36.42). Will watch his progress with interest. I previously rated unraced Russian Revolution filly RUSSIAN SNITZEL as an above average maiden with this impressive heat win over 810m in sharp time for the conditions (47.70; 33.91) adding to her reputation. She has won three of her four trials since April and is sure to be placed to advantage on debut by a smart stable.
BLACKBOOK REPORT
ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – January 5-6
RANDWICK SATURDAY: Battleton (R7); So Good So Cool (R8)
GEELONG SATURDAY: Cradle Of Life (R1); Mister Yu Shu (R7); Bermadez (R8); Va Via (R9)
MORUYA MONDAY: Kokoro (R7)
STONY CREEK TUESDAY: Cradle Of Life (R8)
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Miracle Spin; Contemporary; Zennzella; Gelatin; Munhamek; Acotango; Acquitted; Bowery Breeze; Stroke Of Luck; Ka Bling; Rose Quartz; Let'srollthedice; Schwarz; I've Bean Tryin'; Storm The Ramparts; Without A Fight; Crackerjack Prince; Pesto; Sharp Shock; Attrition; Territory Express; Magic Time
BLACKBOOKERS – Selected December 30
(Follow for next 3 starts)
HOUSE OF CARDS; NAVAL SEAL; NAVAS TWO; POWERFUL PEG; RIYAZAN; WILLINGA BEAST
